Clock escapement



July 29, 1924. 7 1,503,104

J. P. ARMSTRONG ET AL cLdcK ESCAPEMENT Filed June 29, 1922 Patented July 29, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE...

JAMES P. ARMSTRONG AND JOSEPH V. ARMSTRONG, OF LANCASTER, NEW YORK.

CLOCK ESCAPEMENT.

Application filed- June 29, 1922. Serial No. 571,587.

To all whom it may concern.

Be 1t known that We, JAMES P. ARMSTRONG and JOSEPH V. ARMSTRONG, citizens of the United States, residing at Lancaster, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Clock Escapements, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to escapement mechanism for clocks of either the pendulum or balance wheel type. The invention may be used in connection with clocks of various sizes, but is particularly desirable for use in connection with large clocks, such as grandfather clocks and tower clocks.

In large sized clocks the pendulum usually swings through a relatively small arc, and

consequently the usual rocker escapement- -wh1ch is commonly employed on smaller clocks does not give accurate results when used in connection with large clocks, owing to the relatively small movement imparted by the pendulum-to the rocker escap'ement.

The objects of this invention are to produce'an escapement mechanism which will readily cooperate with a pendulum or other oscillating member which swings through a relatively small arc of a circle,

and which consequently 'is more sensitive and accurate than other mechanisms which have heretofore been used; also to produce an escapement mechanism which is readily adjustable so that the mechanism can be adapted to operate with clocks of different sizes, and in which the pendulums or other balancing members swing through different arcs of acircle, thus enabling a single design of escapement-mechanism to be, adapted for clocks of many different varieties; also to provide a mechanism'of this kind whichis simple in construction and which can be manufactured at a comparatively small expense; also to improve the construction of mechanisms of this kind in other respects hereinafter specifiedl,

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an escapement mechanism embodying the invention, and showing the mechanism mounted on the frame of a clock. r y

Fig. 2' is a fragmentary sectional plan view thereof on an enlarged scale, on line 22, Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary rear elevations thereof, showing the means for imparting movement to the pendulum or other oscillating member, the parts being shown in different positions in the two figures.

Figs. and 6 are fragmentary plan views thereof on line 55, Fig. 1, the parts being shown in different positions in the two figures. 1

Fig. 7 is an enlarged central sectional elevation of the escapement disks, showing the same arranged to permit two teeth to escape at one time.

.Fig. 8 is'a diagrammatic view showing the use of the escapement in connection with a balance wheel instead of a pendulum.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the escape ment mechanism is mounted on a frame A which maybe of any usual or suitable construction and which may constitute a part of the fixed frame of the clock. The escapement mechanismas shown in Figs. 1-7 is adapted to cooperate with a weighted oscillating member in the form of a swinging pendulum or the like B, while in Fig. 8 a swinging or oscillating weighted member B cooperates with the e'scapement mechanism, the member in this case being connected with and receiving its oscillatory movement from a balance wheel Z2. Any other oscillatory or vibratory weighted member may be used in which has a hub 03 which is rigidly secured to the pivot rod 0; The arm D is so formed as to cooperate with the oscillating member B, being for this purpose bifurcated in the construction shown, so that the oscillating member B, or a part thereof, may enter between the arms of the bifurcated portion of the member D. Consequently, as the pendulum swings about its pivot, indicated,

for example, in Fig. 1 by b, the arm D will be swung as indicated by the arrows in Figs.

5 and 6, during the oscillating movement of the" member B, the arm D" being rigidly mounted on the pivot rod C imparts oscillating, movement to the tooth engaging members or disks C C. The arm D is preferably so formed that it may be secured to any portion of the pivot rod 0, a set screw (5 being provided for this purpose in the construction shown inrFig. 1. Consequently, it will be readily seen that the extent of movement which is imparted to the oscillating disks C C may bevaried, depending, upon the position of the arm D on the pivot rod the movement decreasing if the arm D is mounted on the pivot rod 0. nearer to the pivot of the'pendulum, and increasing if the arm is mounted at a greater distance from: the pivot of the pendulum;-

The oscillating plates, disks or'tooth engaging me'mbersC C may'be of any suitable or desired construction, those shown being in the form of flat metal disks having enlarge'd peripher'al portions and enlarged hub portions 0, which, in the construct-ion shown, are provided with set screws 0 for securing the disks or plates in the desired assing over the inclined faces c of the positions on the-pivot rod 0. If desired, a spacing collar 0 may be placed between the two* disks to hold the'same at the desired interval from each other. Each of these disks is provided with recesses or'cutout portions 0 extending inwardly from the periphery thereof, and the edges or walls of the recesses are' preferably inclined. In the construction shown, the enlarged peripheral portions of the disks are provided with in clined' edges as indicated at 0 for the purpose hereinafter specified. The disks or plates are so arraged on the pivot rod 0' that the recesses therein are out of alinement with each' other.

After the pendulum o'r' otheroscillating member'has' been set into motion, the movement of the'pendu'lum or member is continued through the medium of the tooth e'n gaging escapement' members or' disks C C bynie'ans' ofthe usual train of gears e driven by any suitable means, such as'weights or springs (not shown), and which imparts movement to an escapem'ent wheel E having a plurality of teeth, projections or fingers e, which are adapted to'cooperate" with the es'capementdisks C C, and to pass through the" recess 0* thereof. These projections in tooth engaging escapement disks or members tend to swing the pivot rod 'c about its axis and thus impart movementto' the pendulum or oscillating member. By arranging the recessesin the escapement disksout of alinej-me'nt with each other, a pin or projection e i will passthrough one recess at a time, resting on the next escapement disk until the same has turned'into a position to permit the projection e to pass through the recess in the next escapement disk. The teeth or projections e are shown as arranged on the side of the escapement wheel E, but it will be readily understood that the same construction could be used in connection with teeth or projections of any other suitable kind.

Sincethe escapement disks G and C are adjustably mounted on the pivot rod 0, it will be understood that. the disks can. readily be positioned at different distances from each other so that if desired the disks may be spaced apart far enough to permit two' teeth or projections of the escapement wheel to pass a slotat the sametime. Furthermore, the escapement disks may be adjusted with reference to each other so that the recesses therein may be placed more or less out of alineinent, depending upon the movement which is imparted to the pivot rod 0 by the oscillating member B.

In the operation of the escapement mechanism. described, after the pendulum. or oscillatingmember has been started by hand, an oscillatory movement is imparted to the pivot rod 0 and to the tooth engaging escapement disks or plates C C by this memher. Since through the medium of the weights or spring and the train of gears, the escapement wheel E tends to turn in the direction of the arrow in Fig; 1, a tooth or projection of the wheel will rest on the upper disk or plate C. Consequently when this plate swings into a position in which aing member to maintain the same in its os-- cillating motion. After the tooth or projection 6" passes through the recess in the upper disk, it rests upon the upper faceof the lower disk C until the oscillation of this disk causes the tooth to pass first over' the inclined face 0 thereof to impart move ment to the oscillating member, and then through the recess 0 therein. VVhen'the tooth passes out of the recess in the lower disk, the next tooth will rest upon the upper face of the upper disk and the operation is thereupon repeated. If the upper disks or plates C C are spaced further apart, two

or more of the teeth may pass through a recess at one time.

The escapement mechanism described has the advantage that itcan be readily adjusted to meet the particular requirements of the clock on which it isto be used. By mounting the swinging arm'D at different dis-= tances from the pivot of the pendulum, the

desired movement can be readily obtained. In case the mechanism is to be used on large clocks for a very long pendulum, such as tower clocks, the pivot rod 0 may be relatively of much greater length than shown in the accompanying drawing so that the arm I) may be mounted at a considerable distance from the pivot of the pendulum, so that even though the pendulum swings through a very slight angle, nevertheless suflicient movement can be imparted to the escapement mechanism to insure reliable op eration of the same. The adjustment of the escapement disks on the shaft also makes it possible to readily adapt the escapement mechanism to clocks widely diiferent in character without any change in construction. Escapement mechanisms of this kind are extremely accurate and when once adjusted to a clock are subject to very little 7 wear so that the clock will keep accurate 7 time for a long period.

W'e claim as our invention:

1, In an escapement mechanism, the combination of a pivoted oscillatory member, means for imparting power to said member at intervals to cause the same to turn in opposite directions, an oscillatory weighted member which moves about a different pivot than said first-mentioned oscillatory member, and a connection between said oscillatory members, whereby each member imparts movement to and is moved by I the other member.

' '2. In'an escapement mechanism, the combination of a pivoted oscillatory member, means for imparting power to said member at intervals to cause the same to turn in opmember which moves about a different pivot than said first-mentioned oscillatory member, and an adjustable connection between said oscillatory members, whereby each member imparts movement to and is moved by the other member, the adjustment of said connection serving to control the extent of movement of one of said members relatively to the other member.

3. In an escapement mechanism, the combination of a pivoted oscillatory member, means for imparting'power to said member at intervals to cause the same to turn in oppositedirections, an'oscillatory weighted member which moves about a different pivot than said first mentioned oscillatory memher. and a sliding connection between said oscillatory members, whereby each'member imparts movement to and is moved by the other member, said connection being adjustable toward and from the pivot of one of said members to vary the relative movement of said members.

4. In an escapement mechanism, the combination of a swinging member, an osc1llatory member including an upright pivot arranged adjacent to said swinging member, means for lntermittently impartmg movement to sand oscillatory member, and

an arm mounted on said oscillatory memher and adapted to engage said swinging member to. impart movement thereto and to be moved thereby.

5. I11 an escapement mechanism, the combination of a pendulum, an oscillatory member including an upright pivot arranged adjacent to said pendulum, means for intermittently imparting movement to said oscillatory member, and an arm extending outwardly from said oscillatory member and adapted to engage said pendulum to impart movement thereto and to be moved thereby, said arm being adjustable to engage different parts of said pendulum to vary the relative movement of said pendulum and oscillatory member.

6. In a clock mechanism, the combination of a swinging weighted member, an oscillatory escapement device including an upright pivot rod arranged adjacent to said swinging member, and an arm adjust-ably mounted on said rod and adapted to be secured in different positions on said rod lengthwise thereof and adapted to engage said swinging member to impart movement thereto and to be moved thereby, the relative movements of said swinging member and said rod being varied by the adjustment of said arm on said rod.

7. In a clock mechanism, the combination of a swinging weighted member, an oscillatory escapement device including an upright pivot rod arranged adjacent to said swinging member, a forked arm mounted posite directions, an oscillatorywelghted on said rod and adapted to straddle a part of said swinging member, and means for adjustably securing said forked arm in dif ferent positions on said rod.

8. In an escapement mechanism, the combination of an oscillating member, a pivoted arm connected with said oscillating member and swung about its pivot thereby, a weighted member to which said pivoted arm imparts movement and which by its momentum in turn imparts movement to said oscillating member, a pair of disks having circumferential recesses therein and connected to swing with said pivoted arm, said'slots being arranged out of alinement with each other, and a wheel having teeth adapted to pass through said slots as said disks are oscillated.

9. In an escapement mechanism, the combination of an oscillatory rod, means connected with said rod for causing the same to oscillate, a pair of escapement disks mounted on said rod and each having a peripheral flange portion which extends beyond one of the faces of the disk, and

an escapement wheel having projections 130 adapted to engage said peripheral flange portions of said disks to limit the friction to which said projections are subjected due to their contact with said disks.

10. In an escapement mechanism, the combination of a driven escapement wheel having a plurality of projections, escapement members having surfaces arrangedsubstantially at right angles to said wheel and adapted to intercept the movement of said projections and inclined parts terminating inrecesses to permit the escape'of said pro jections, and a weighted member oscillating about a pivot other than that of said escapement members and whichmoves said members relatively to the projections of said Wheel and which receives motionfrom said members and escapement wheel.

11. In an escapement mechanism, combination of a driven escapement wheel provided with projections, a pair of escapement members arranged in a plane substantially. perpendicular to the plane of said wheel and having inclined portions term-inating in recesses adapted to permit the escape of said projections, an oscillatory rod on which said members are mounted, and an oscillating device swinging about a difi'erent pivot than said rod and connected with said rod for causing said members to swing into and out of their projection releasing positions, and which receives movement through its connection with said rod from the engagement of said projections with said members.

12. In an escapement mechanism, the com bination of an oscillatory device, a pivot rod, an arm mounted on said pivot rod for engaging a portion of said oscillatory device to transmit an oscillatory movement to said pivot rod, a pair of escapement members mounted on said pivot rod, and an escapement wheel having projections adapted to cooperate with said escapement members,

said members being provided with surfaces adapted to engage said projections to stop the -ment to said pivot rod and said oscillatory device.

13. In an escapement mechanism, the combination of an oscillatory device, a pivot rod, an arm mounted on said pivot rod for engaging a portion of said oscillatory device to transmit an oscillatory movement to said pivot rod, a pair of escapement members mountedon said pivot rod, an escapement wheel having projections adapted to cooperate with said escapement members,-said memhersv being provided with surfaces adapted to engage said projections to stop the rotation of said escapement wheeland having inclined surfaces over which said projections pass to move out of engagement with said stop surfaces and to impart movement to said pivot rod and said oscillatory device, and means for adjustably securing said arm in different positions on said pivot rod to vary the movement imparted to said rod by said oscillatory device.

14. In an escapement mechanism, the combination of an oscillatory rod, means connected with said rod for causing the same to oscillate, a pair of escapement disks mounted on said rod and each having a pcripheral flange portion which extends beyond oneof the faces of said disk, an escapement wheel having projections adapted to engage said peripheral flange portions, and

recesses in said peripheral portions having inclined parts along which said escapement projections may pass to impart movement to said members, whereby said projections engage only said peripheral portions of said disks.

JAMES P. ARMSTRONG. JOSEPH v. ARMSTRONG. 

